Land Use Systems Research Articles

Soil microbial and enzyme activities in different land use systems of the Northwestern Himalayas.

Soil microbial activity (SMA) is vital concerning carbon cycling, and its functioning is recognized as the primary factor in modifying soil carbon storage potential. The composition of the microbial community (MC) is significant in sustaining environmental services because the structure and activity of MC also influence nutrient turnover, distribution, and the breakdown rate of soil organic matter. SMA is an essential predictor of soil quality alterations, and microbiome responsiveness is imperative in addressing the escalating sustainability concerns in the Himalayan ecosystem. This study was conducted to evaluate the response of soil microbial and enzyme activities to land conversions in the Northwestern Himalayas (NWH), India. Soil samples were collected from five land use systems (LUSs), including forest, pasture, apple, saffron, and paddy-oilseed, up to a depth of 90 cm. The results revealed a significant difference (p < 0.05) in terms of dehydrogenase (9.97-11.83 TPF µg g-1 day-1), acid phosphatase (22.40-48.43 µg P-NP g-1 h-1), alkaline phosphatase (43.50-61.35 µg P-NP g-1 h-1), arylsulphatase (36.33-48.12 µg P-NP g-1 h-1), fluorescein diacetate hydrolase (12.18-21.59 µg g-1 h-1), bacterial count (67.67-123.33 CFU × 106 g-1), fungal count (19.33-67.00 CFU × 105 g-1), and actinomycetes count (12.00-42.33 CFU × 104 g-1), with the highest and lowest levels in forest soils and paddy-oilseed soils, respectively. Soil enzyme activities and microbial counts followed a pattern: forest > pasture > apple > saffron > paddy-oilseed at all three depths. Paddy-oilseed soils exhibited up to 35% lower enzyme activities than forest soils, implying that land conversion facilitates the depletion of microbiome diversity from surface soils. Additionally, reductions of 49.80% and 62.91% were observed in enzyme activity and microbial counts, respectively, with soil depth (from 0-30 to 60-90 cm). Moreover, the relationship analysis (principal component analysis and correlation) revealed a high and significant (p = 0.05) association between soil microbial and enzyme activities and physicochemical attributes. These results suggest that land conversions need to be restricted to prevent microbiome depletion, reduce the deterioration of natural resources, and ensure the sustainability of soil health.

Ecological and economic assessment of sustainable spatial land management in the context of global climate change: economic and mathematical modeling

This article emphasises that the degree of anthropogenic (ecodestructive) impact on the state of agricultural production is the main criterion for assessing the development of sustainable spatial land management under certain ecological and economic constraints. The aim of the study is to model the ecological and economic assessment of the transformation of the territorial-spatial management of agricultural land at different levels of management, taking into account the impact of anthropogenic (ecodestructive) factors to ensure sustainable land use in the context of global climate change. Thus, the methodology of territorial-spatial analysis of the efficiency of transformation of modern agricultural land use and use of land and resource potential is aimed at determining its holistic assessment as a systemic and complex phenomenon. An economic-mathematical model for calculating the optimal structure of sown areas by placing crops between production structures of different levels of management, taking into account their susceptibility to the action of a particular ecodestructive (anthropogenic) factor, is proposed. The allocation of agricultural production based on the presented model implies redistribution of production of certain types of products, taking into account minimisation of economic losses from anthropogenic (ecodestructive) factors, in particular, industrial air pollution. The paper considers the possibilities of quantifying the economic consequences of climate change in the system of agricultural land use. It is proved that the assessment of economic losses from climate change in the system of sustainable agricultural land use requires the development of a system of cost standards that correspond to the input climate parameters. This article presents natural indicators and regional adjustment coefficients of agricultural production in case of an increase in the average annual air temperature by one degree, with differentiation by regions of Ukraine. An algorithm for economic assessment of the impact of changes in the thermal regime of the atmosphere on the efficiency of the crop production industry is presented. The proposed modelling of the territorialspatial improvement of agricultural land use efficiency is a methodological approach to assessing the environmental consequences of transforming the efficiency of management in agriculture in terms of reducing and preventing economic losses from anthropogenic (ecodestructive) factors in the context of global climate change. So, the practical implementation of the presented methodological approach to the economic assessment of the impact of global climate change on agriculture will allow to substantiate recommendations for the formation of a system of actions that would allow to avoid or at least reduce the negative climate impact.

Selected Enzyme Activities Under Different Land Use Management in Lower Missouri River Floodplain Soils

ABSTRACT Floodplains are vital and productive ecosystems that provide essential biological, and hydrologic functions. However, human modifications to floodplains, such as urbanization, and agriculture have increased the need to assess the impacts of land use changes on the sustainability of their functions. Riparian forest (RF), agroforestry (AF), and row-crop agriculture (AG) are among common land-use systems in the lower Missouri River Floodplain (MRF) region in New Franklin, MO. This study tested the hypothesis that variations in soil physicochemical and biological parameters in relation to land management could affect soil enzyme activities. Soil samples were collected from three land use systems, and enzyme activities were measured in three seasons fall 2019, summer 2020, and spring 2021. Soil properties such as soil C and N, bulk density, organic matter, and water-holding capacity were measured. The results revealed significantly higher levels of β-glucosidase, β-glucosaminidase, and dehydrogenase activity in agroforestry (AF) and riparian forest (RF) treatments relative to agriculture (AG) management in all three studied seasons. No substantial differences in total PLFA were detected among land use systems. This research demonstrated that tree-based systems can substantially enhance soil bulk density and organic matter concentration, leading to increased activity of the selected enzymes. Efforts to incorporate agroforestry systems help to create a more diverse and complex ecosystem compared to monoculture cropping systems. This, in turn, stimulates connections among diverse plant species, microorganisms, and soil fauna, leading to improved nutrient cycling, organic matter decomposition, and overall soil health.

Towards sustainability: The impact of the multidimensional morphological evolution of urban land on carbon emissions

The examination of explicit and implicit urban land forms and their impact on carbon emissions (CEs) can effectively balance economic development with environmental sustainability. Prior studies have only considered individual factors, such as the scale and structure of urban land use (ULU), without accounting for its multidimensional evolution. To address this limitation, we analyzed data from 44 cities around the Bohai Sea between 2000 and 2020, developing a land-use index system that includes urban land quality. Our results present a nuanced view of the urban land use patterns (ULUPs) in the Bohai Rim region over the 20-year period. We found that all indices of ULUPs demonstrated a trend of improvement. Specifically, the structural pattern index (TS) was typically high, with values ranging between 0.65 and 0.80. The quality pattern index (TQ) witnessed the most significant growth. In contrast, the scale pattern index (TA) and the layout pattern index (TP) registered a relatively lower and slower-paced growth. Simultaneously, we observed an intriguing pattern in the CEs in the Bohai Rim region - an initial surge was followed by a considerable slowdown, as the growth rate plummeted from 88% to a mere 3%. There were noticeable regional variances, with the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region registering a lesser increase compared to the Liaodong Peninsula. As our study progressed, we uncovered distinctive and evolving influences of the land use morphology factors on the Bohai Rim region's CEs. A progressively rising number of factors emerged as significantly influential, with their suppressive impact on CEs becoming increasingly potent. Notably, land allocated to public service facilities, green spaces, and squares was found to be associated with reduced CEs. Moreover, our study reveals a clear link between quality optimization of ULU and effective restraint on CEs, whereas larger scales of urban land result in increased CEs. Our findings also show that a continuous and stable optimization of the multidimensional pattern of urban land, accompanied by a relatively stable optimization path, can favorably suppress CEs. This confirms the critical role of strategic land use management in controlling CEs. Our paper provides policy guidance for creating low-carbon, sustainable cities through efficient leveraging of land resources.

Human-induced land use changes and phosphorus limitation affect soil microbial biomass and ecosystem stoichiometry.

Soil and microbial biomass carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) play an important role in soil nutrient dynamics in biogeochemical cycles of terrestrial ecosystems. However, increased human activities as a result of agricultural intensification on soil nutrients and microbial C:N:P stoichiometry are poorly understood in this fragile forest-savanna transition agroecosystem. This study aimed to (i) assess soil and microbial C, N, and P stoichiometry in different land use systems, and (ii) examine the effect of soil and microbial C, N, and P stoichiometry on soils susceptible to human-induced land use changes. A total of 82 composite soil samples at a depth of 0-20 cm were sampled from forest, savanna, grassland, fallow and cropland for laboratory analysis. The results revealed that the concentrations of C, N, and P were low in Fallow and Cropland compared to other land use systems. Analysis of variance in microbial C, N, and P stoichiometric ratios revealed a significant decreasing tendency compared to soil C:N, C:P and N:P ratios with no statistical significance (p < 0.05). The C:P and N:P ratios were low compared to the C:N ratio in land uses. A significant positive correlation was observed between MBC and MBN (0.95; p < 0.01), and with C and N (0.69; p < 0.01). There were significant interactive effects of land use on soil and microbial variables. The estimated microbial C:N:P stoichiometric ratios (21:2:1) were well constrained in the study area. The transition from Forest to Cropland resulted in 64%, 52%, and 71% reduction in C, N, and P, respectively. This implies that phosphorus is the main factor limiting productivity. The low availability of phosphorus in these tropical soils may have resulted in low C:P and N:P ratios. Therefore, we conclude that our results highlight the importance of phosphorus limitation on ratios of microbial C:P and N:P in landuse systems. Nutrient inputs such as fertilizers, manure and crop residues should be applied to croplands to improve soil and microbial C, N and P levels. Further, effects of land use on soil nutrient status and stoichiometry at 1-meter depth will be considered in our future work.

Tree diversity and social–ecological resilience of agroforestry after volcanic ash deposition in Indonesia

Smallholder farmers and their agroecosystems in active volcanic landscapes need to deal with and recover from eruptions. Resilience to extreme shocks may increase with system diversity, enhancing food and income security and ecosystem services provision; however, the longer term effects of volcanic ash are rarely assessed. To test the hypothesis that tree diversity contributes to the social–ecological resilience of coffee-based agroforestry, we quantified (1) the immediate effects of deposition of a 15-cm ash layer on tree survival, (2) the effect of volcanic ash on aboveground C stocks, tree diversity and wood density frequencies, (3) litter layer dynamics, and (4) farming system and income recovery 3 years after. Observations in four land-use systems before and after ash deposition (remnant forest, coffee-based complex and simple agroforestry, annual crops) were complemented by 46 farmer interviews on tree species’ survival, system, and financial recovery. Based on farmer interviews, low-wood-density trees were most affected by volcanic ash deposition. Ash deposition did not, after 3 years and across land-use systems, significantly change tree density, basal area, or C stocks. In contrast, species richness in coffee-based agroforestry increased significantly. Standing litter stocks in agroforestry decreased, but slower decomposition partially compensated for reduced litter input. Farmers stated that diversity and flexibility in coffee-based agroforestry support a system recovery that is faster than that for annual crops, suppressing income fluctuation. Farmer’s adaptive responses to enhance species diversity contributed to the resilience of farms, by retaining basic system structure and functions of agroforestry, and increasing product diversity and income.Graphical abstract

Exploring the Influence of Diverse Viticultural Systems on Soil Health Metrics in the Northern Black Sea Region

The present study investigates the functionalecological status of typical light clay soils in vineyards in the southern region of Crimea, using both traditional (including fallow soils) and organic land-use systems. This analysis was carried out by examining agrochemical indicators, microbial respiratory activity, microbial biomass, and the ecological status of the microbial community. In organic vineyard soils, the mean substrate-induced respiration, microbial biomass carbon and the ratio of microbial biomass to organic carbon were found to be 2.8, 4.0, and 4.1 times higher, respectively, compared to conventional farm soils. On the contrary, the microbial metabolic coefficient was 1.4 times lower, signifying more favorable conditions for the functioning of the soil microbiota. The increased mobile sulfur content in organic vineyard soils (18.3 mg kg−1 vs. 8.0 mg kg−1 in traditional farms) and inadequate mobile phosphorus supply in some farms present potential risks. The suboptimal functional state of the microbiome in fallow soils previously under traditional plant protection necessitates comprehensive ecotoxicological analyses before development. Assessing the soil functional ecological status through an ecophysiological evaluation of the microbiome is vital for understanding ampelocenosis soils and making informed decisions on vineyard management practices.

Planning for cooler cities in Ghana: Contribution of green infrastructure to urban heat mitigation in Kumasi Metropolis

This study investigates the spatial variability of some remote sensing indices representing built-up areas, vegetation, bareness, and urban heat island (UHI), based on time-series Landsat TM/ETM+ and OLI/TIRS datasets archived for 1980–2020 period from the US Geological Survey’s website for Kumasi Metropolitan Area in Ghana. Modules for Land Use Change Evaluation (MOLUSCE) and Cellular Automata Artificial Neural Network (CA-ANN) algorithms and simulations in QGIS were used to predict future changes (2020–2050) for land-use systems in Kumasi. Findings revealed urbanization/built-up areas (+108.02%) contributed massively to the decline of forest areas (−93.34%) and farmlands/shrubs (−31.53%), thereby making Kumasi lose its once critical green position as the “Garden City of West Africa.” UHI moderately and strongly correlated positively against built-up (R2=0.78, p < 0.0001) and bareness (R2=0.96, p < 0.0001) indices, respectively. By contrast, UHI showed a statistically significant inverse relationship with the vegetative index (R2=0.97, p < 0.0001). Future land-use scenarios revealed more forests, waterbodies, and farmlands/shrubs will be lost, influencing urban temperature and water supply. The multipurpose advantages of urban green space are ingrained in the grand urban model. Contextually, the Metropolis’s resilience has been hampered by inconsistency in the performance of institutional roles, competition for land ownership rights over green areas, and little investments or prioritization of green spaces. An integrated collaborative governance framework is proposed to unify actions, address power crisis and factors that influence governance of green infrastructure, UHI and land cover change.

Coupling coordination and spatio-temporal evolution of land-use benefits under the dual carbon goal: A case study in Anhui, China

According to the dual carbon goal, urban development should adhere to the principle of low-carbon sustainable development in order to reach the “carbon peak” in 2030 and “carbon neutrality” in 2060. To achieve the dual carbon goal and sustainable land resource utilization, it is necessary to seek ways to improve land-use benefits and promote the coordinated development of economic, social, and ecological benefits. Therefore, the study analysed the coupling coordination and spatio-temporal evolution of land-use benefits in Anhui province, aiming to provide a reference for improving the level of regional land-use benefits. First, we developed a land-use benefit evaluation indicator system that took into account the dual carbon goal from three perspectives: economic benefits, social benefits, and ecological benefits or economic, social, and ecological benefits. Following that, we evaluated the spatial-temporal characteristics of land-use benefits using the coupling coordination model and coupling coordination gravity model. The results showed: (1) From the time scale, the comprehensive land-use benefits showed an increasing trend from 2011 to 2020, the coordination state changed from “moderately uncoordinated” to “on the verge of uncoordinated”. (2) From the perspective of spatial differences, the coupling coordination level of land-use benefits in 16 prefecture-level cities increased year by year, but no prefecture-level cities reached the coordination stage. (3) As for the spatial linkage strength of coupling coordination of land-use benefits, 16 prefecture-level cities in 2011, 2015 and 2020 presented a similar spatial linkage pattern, and the coupling coordination of prefecture-level cities in southeast Anhui province was strongly influenced by regional factors.

Investigating biodiversity trends in different mitigation scenarios with a national integrated assessment model

ABSTRACT The inclusion of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in climate mitigation pathways is critical and can be reached by assessing their consequences through the deployment of appropriate indicators to that end. Integrated Assessment Models (IAMs) are important tools for understanding possible impacts caused by adopting new policies. We investigate terrestrial biodiversity trends (life on land: SDG 15) for three different climate mitigation scenarios for Brazil: (1) A scenario compatible with a world that maintains its current policies with current deforestation rates in the Amazon and the Cerrado biomes; (2) A scenario in which Brazil fulfils its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC); and (3) A scenario compatible with a world that limits warming to 1.5°C. We use the Brazilian Land-Use and Energy System model (BLUES), a national IAM, to show the implications of the transitions involved in the above-mentioned scenarios for the country up to 2050. We conduct a post-processing analysis using consolidated biodiversity indicators to emphasize how different IAM greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions mitigation solutions present distinct positive and negative potential impacts on biodiversity in Brazil. However, our analysis does not consider the impacts associated with climate change, but only the risks imposed by mitigation policies. Our results indicate that biodiversity loss decreases in the scenarios from (1) to (3), implying that stronger climate change mitigation actions could result in smaller biodiversity losses. We conclude that Brazil has the opportunity to align its biodiversity and climate goals through nature-based solutions (NBS), such as forest conservation, restoration, pasture recovery, and the use of crop-pasture and agroforestry systems.

Middle Holocene Lithic Technological Organization and Upland Land Use in the Upper Susitna River Basin, Alaska

ABSTRACT The middle Holocene period is marked by an apparent increase in the use of upland subsistence resources across North America. This pattern has also been observed in the uplands of central Alaska; however, we have limited understanding of the nature of upland hunter-gatherer land-use strategies during this time. This study presents a lithic technological organization analysis of three middle Holocene sites in the upper Susitna River basin, central Alaska Range, to evaluate middle Holocene land-use strategies. The Middle Holocene lithic assemblages presented here have characteristics of a low mobility land-use system in contrast with preceding periods. An important driver of middle Holocene upland land-use intensification may have been a warming climate and associated shift in vegetation patterns and caribou range. Understanding the intensity with which hunter-gatherers in the past utilized upland landscapes has implications for understanding ecological change in marginal ecosystems.

Drawing lessons from mineral and land use policy in Europe: Crossing policy streams or getting stuck in silos?

While mineral resource extraction is a contested land-use under increased societal scrutiny, it is tremendously important for clean energy transition and societal economic development. Despite increased demand, access to mineral resources is, however, subject to different stakeholder interests often reflected in competing forms of land-use and institutional complexity of two policy streams of minerals and land use planning. During the last decade public policy responses in Europe introduced new instruments such as protection of minerals deposits or valorisation schemes for minerals development, both aiming to link or integrate these two policy streams. While policy studies focus on the mineral and geological background, they lack the contextualisation in the broader (land-) policy and governance discourse. This article closes this gap and contributes to the interface between mineral resources, land policy and spatial planning. It provides insights into 1) what policy instruments are assembled to policy mixes for integrating minerals and land use planning policy, and (ii) in how far these instruments are fit for purpose in the respective land-use planning system. In our analysis we portray the diversity of policy instruments to better integrate policy domains of mineral and LUP, but are only deployed in a 13 European countries. The instruments are assembled to policy mixes combining regulatory, strategies and guidelines, as well as information-based or voluntary instruments with horizontal policy integration representing on average high degrees of integration compared to vertical integration. Considering diversity of European planning systems and different context of mineral resource challenges, we conclude that it is the “contextual match” of what (instruments) works where (land use planning system) that matters. In our research we clearly indicate this contextual match on two levels: First a planning system and decision-making match for vertical integration, and, second, a policy cycle match for horizontal integration, where minerals or LUP topics/issues, respectively, are considered in preparation or design stage of land-use plans, zoning documents or mineral planning documents. For policy decision-makers the array of identified instruments provides solutions fitting to different socio-spatial contexts of mineral and Land use planning policy as well as different planning systems.

Archival Analysis of Slash-And-Burn Agriculture in the Northern Ural Mountains at the End of the Nineteenth Century

AbstractAt the end of the nineteenth century, the northern territories of the Russian Plain and western piedmont of Northern Ural Mountains were under various land-use systems, including slash-and-burn (SAB) agriculture. Using archival materials for the years 1880–1910 as data sources, we analyse the the location and extent of SAB agriculture, it timing, and its impact on the landscapes at the turn of the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and present a review of the historical and ethnographic literature. The study area is in the western piedmont of the Northern Ural Mountains, between the Kama and Pechora rivers in dark conifer dominated forests. The population is sparse (14 people per 100 km² in 1900) and settled along the rivers. In 1885 the practice of SAB agriculture was totally prohibited, but the unusually large crop harvest during the first years of the ban led people to risk breaking the law. Between the years 1885 and 1894 a total number of 175 SAB cases was recorded in the study area. The SAB sites were used only once before being abandoned. The recorded plots were usually cultivated by one family. They small (0.03 ha to 2.70 ha, with a median of 0.55 ha) and located within 7.5 km of the settlements. The practice SAB agriculture led to the formation of mosaics of multiple-aged pyrogenic forest associations near the settlements.

Dynamics of soil organic carbon of jhum agriculture land-use system in the heterogeneous hill of Arunachal Pradesh, India

Land-use conversion affects soil organic carbon (SOC) dynamics. Therefore, an in-depth study of change in SOC, SOC pool, fractions of SOC and enzymatic activities of soil microbial biomass carbon (SMBC) and dehydrogenase (DHA) with the conversion of forest land to jhum, fallow jhum and settle cultivation use has been undertaken on the hills of Arunachal Pradesh of India. Geo-referenced soil samples from eight different locations, each from different land uses were collected at three depth. One part of the soil sample had been used for the analysis of SOC and its carbon fraction. The second portion was kept in a deep freezer for determining SMBC and DHA. The third part was used for the analysis of bulk density. The result revealed that the highest loss of SOC pool was recorded in jhum land (41.8 to 13.4%), and the labile carbon was also found to decrease in jhum land. The highest SMBC was observed on the surface soil of the natural forest; the highest DHA was found in the natural forest; and the lowest DHA was recorded in jhum land. This study found that the converting natural forest to jhum reduces SOC storage, enzymatic activities and C fractions significantly whereas fallow jhum shows sign of recovery because all of these parameters improved when compared to the jhum land-use system. This study also confirms that the fallow period helps restore the initial situation.

Plant Composition and Species Use in Agroforestry Homegardens in the Eastern Amazon, Brazil

Agroforestry home gardens are integrated arrangements of common vegetable plants near residences, resembling tropical forests. They cultivate multiple species to meet families’ basic needs, including food, medicine, and family activities. This study aimed to assess the composition and use of plant species in agroforestry home gardens in three municipalities in the western region of Pará. The study analyzed 119 home gardens in Belterra, Mojuí dos Campos, and Santarém in Pará, Brazilian Amazonia. These home gardens span peri-urban, urban, floodplain, indigenous, and tourist land zones. Data were collected through questionnaires and visits, surveying 5323 plants from 188 species and 62 plant families. The findings revealed that 80.5% of plants concentrated in just 18.6% of the species, with no significant difference in species per home garden across zones. Notably, food species, particularly fruit-bearing plants, dominated these home gardens. This indicates a potential emphasis on incentive programs and public policies. Most home gardens contained up to 17 plant species, while less than half included medicinal plants. Native and exotic species were equally represented, with native plants valued for shading benefits. Agroforestry home gardens are vital for conserving and cultivating food species. Their specific purposes influence species distribution and selection, showcasing their socioeconomic and environmental significance. Thus, recognizing and investing in these land-use systems is crucial to maintain and enhance regional benefits.

Facing old and new risks in arid environments: The case of pastoral communities in Northern Kenya

Pastoralism is an important form of livelihood in Kenya, particularly in northern Kenya. While pastoralists have always faced risks such as political marginalization, harsh climate conditions and violent conflict, pastoral communities are increasingly exposed to new risks such as wildlife conservancies as well as large-scale wind and oil projects. The growing climate security literature has provided some insights into how changing rainfall patterns are affecting pastoralist conflicts, but we know little about the compound nature of multiple risks. This paper seeks to narrow this knowledge gap. It aims to better understand new and old risks and their combined impact on pastoral communities in the counties of Turkana, Samburu and Marsabit. The study is based on a comprehensive and structured review of the scientific literature. The findings show that all pastoral communities in northern Kenya face the old risks while the newer ones are county-specific. In Turkana, potential oil spills threaten land and water resources upon which pastoralist communities depend. In Samburu, wildlife conservancies have changed the land-use system, and in Marsabit a pastoral community is exposed to noise and visible emissions from a wind park. Common to these risks are that they: (1) are caused by top-down governance processes with little to no community involvement; (2) reduce the mobility and access to water and pasture of (some) pastoral communities; (3) change the security situation. A rethinking of wildlife conservancies and energy projects is needed that involves pastoral communities from the outset and makes them the primary beneficiaries of any measure implemented in northern Kenya.

Highlighting the potential of multilevel statistical models for analysis of individual agroforestry systems

Agroforestry is a land-use system that combines arable and/or livestock management with tree cultivation, which has been shown to provide a wide range of socio-economic and ecological benefits. It is considered a promising strategy for enhancing resilience of agricultural systems that must remain productive despite increasing environmental and societal pressures. However, agroforestry systems pose a number of challenges for experimental research and scientific hypothesis testing because of their inherent spatiotemporal complexity. We reviewed current approaches to data analysis and sampling strategies of bio-physico-chemical indicators, including crop yield, in European temperate agroforestry systems to examine the existing statistical methods used in agroforestry experiments. We found multilevel models, which are commonly employed in ecology, to be underused and under-described in agroforestry system analysis. This Short Communication together with a companion R script are designed to act as an introduction to multilevel models and to promote their use in agroforestry research.

Revitalization of idle rural residential land: Coordinating the potential supply for land consolidation with the demand for rural revitalization

The consolidation and reuse of idle rural residential land (IRRL) is a key component when studying rural sustainable land use. Scientifically understanding the relationship between the consolidation of IRRL and rural revitalization and exploring ways to revitalize IRRL through rural revitalization are key scientific issues that urgently need to be solved for rural land sustainability. By applying an integrated framework, the potential supply for consolidation and the utilization demand of IRRL under rural revitalization are synthetically identified, and the supply-demand relationship is further explored. Finally, diversified revitalization for IRRL based on the coordination of supply and demand is proposed. The results show that the dominant sources of the consolidation potential for IRRL are agricultural land supply, ecological improvement and industrial land supply. The dominant demands for IRRL involve industrial development, residence function and ecological protection. There is an obvious mismatch between the consolidation potential supply and the utilization demand of IRRL, and the lack of consolidation potential supply is the main source of this mismatch. Under the trade-off between consolidation potential supply and rural revitalization demand, industrial development and ecological improvement are the dominant utilization directions of IRRL in Pinggu, and fewer villages are being used for residential improvement. The direct consolidation of village functions, the transformation into a land index for spatial transfer, and maintaining the land as idle are the primary revitalization methods for IRRL. The study aims to realize the potential value of IRRL and to deeply explore the human-land adaptation relationship under rural revitalization to enrich the research system of sustainable land use and provide a reference for rural land rights reform in developing countries.

Biocultural mapping: unpacking the myth of an unsuitable Country in the arid zone, Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Area, Australia

Defining spaces and places in retrojective Geographical Information Systems (GIS) of land use and occupancy is not an easy task. Research into the areas described as suitable for land use and occupancy need to incorporate multiple perspectives of what makes a land use patch useful or salient ecologically. The effect of the concept of 'Terra Nullius' and European colonisation is deeply apparent in the current GIS models of historical land use and occupancy of Aboriginal communities within arid zones in Australia. Biocultural zones of land use and occupancy zones omit spaces and places of habitation due to European bias of what a suitable ecological or hydrological land use zone should look like. This article employs Exploratory GIS methods to interrogate the data layers within the Willandra Lakes Region World Heritage Area, NSW, Australia. This work conclusively demonstrates that there are ranges of areas and land suitability zones prior to colonisation in the nineteenth century. In turn, these Exploratory GIS models of an active Country comprehensively address the question of why visually salient areas of hydrological and ecological Indigenous land use and occupancy continue to be ignored, destroyed, and damaged by settlements in semi-arid regions. Biocultural GIS mapping unpacks the myth that areas were empty or uninhabited by Aboriginal communities and underlines the need for biocultural GIS mapping tools to understand the habitable spaces and places of the arid zone.

Landscape conservation in the natural-rural interface. A social-ecological approach in Natural Parks of Andalusia (Spain)

ContextMultifunctional rural landscapes are social-ecological systems that represent a link between nature and culture. They are characterized by the conservation and protection of ecological processes, natural resources and biocultural diversity. The conservation of these landscapes is mainly based on the establishment of Protected Natural Areas (PAs) whose regulatory schemes have often promoted their degradation.ObjectivesWe evaluate the effectiveness of the conservation strategies of the Natural Park category in the protection and maintenance of rural cultural landscapes. We analyse at a regional and local scale both the dynamics of land-uses and the socioeconomic structure of the local populations involved, identifying the main social-ecological indicators of change in the protected landscape.MethodsWe apply a methodological approach, based on geoprocessing tools and multivariate analysis, to examine social-ecological changes in rural cultural landscapes after the establishment of a network of PAs. The designed method allows us to infer the ecological and socioeconomic resilience of protected landscapes.ResultsConservation efforts have tended to underestimate rural landscapes in favour of natural ones, mainly forest systems, and have not been able to prevent the processes of abandonment and degradation of protected landscapes. A simplification of the land-use systems dependent on traditional farming practices is observed. This implies the loss of both the multifunctionality of rural landscapes and their resilience to environmental changes. The key socioeconomic indicators identified highlight the deterioration of the rurality of protected landscapes.ConclusionsOur social-ecological approach is a useful tool to evaluate the effectiveness of PAs. Protection of landscape is related to the decline of traditional agricultural systems and rewilding through land abandonment. Culturalness is necessary to promote the management and conservation of rural landscapes from a holistic perspective.